Method for reactive sputter deposition of phosphosilicate glass

ABSTRACT

A METHOD FOR REACTIVE SPUTTER DEPOSITING PHOSPHOSILICATE GLASS ON A SUBSTRATE UTILIZING A SPUTTERING CHAMBER HAVING A FUSED QUARTZ TARGET DISPOSED ON A TARGET ELECTRODE, AND A SUBSTRATE HOLDER SPACED FROM THE TARGET HOLDER ELECTRODE. SUBSTRATES TO BE COVERED ARE INTRODUCED INTO THE SPUTTERING CHAMBER AND LOCATED ON THE SUBSTRATE HOLDER ELECTRODE, A R.F. POTENTIAL IS APPLIED ACROSS THE TARGET ELECTRODE AND THE SUBSTRATE HOLDER ELECTRODE TO ESTABLISH A GLOW DISCHARGE IN THE REGION BETWEEN THE ELECTRODES, AND VAPORIZED P2O5 IS INTRODUCED INTO THE REGION OF THE GLOW DISCHARGE. THE VAPORIZED P2O5 AND TARGET MATERIAL RESULT IN THE DEPOSTION OF A PHOSPHOSILICATE GLASS LAYER.

July 3, 1973 T. N. KENNEDY 3,743,587

METHOD FOR REACTIVE SPUTTER DEPOSITION OF IHOEPHOSILICATE GLASS Filed March 1, 1972 22 f Fem 20 24v v g- ////Q/ If 16 \U FIG.2

United States Patent Filed Mar. 1, 1972, Ser. No. 230,869 Int. Cl. C23c 15/00 US. Cl. 204-192 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method for reactive sputter depositing phosphosilicate glass on a substrate utilizing a sputtering chamber having a fused quartz target disposed on a target electrode, and a substrate holder spaced from the target holder electrode. Substrates to be covered are introduced into the sputtering chamber and located on the substrate holder electrode, a R.F. potential is applied across the target electrode and the substrate holder electrode to establish a glow discharge in the region between the electrodes, and vaporized P 0 is introduced into the region of the glow discharge. The vaporized P 0 and target material result in the deposition of a phosphosilicate glass layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to deposition of dielectric coating on substrates, more specifically to a method of reacfive sputtering phosphosilicate glass on semiconductor substrates.

Description of the prior art The Na+ gettering effect of phosphosilicate glass coatings on semiconductor devices is well known in the art. Such layers are particularly useful in FET devices to control mobile charges in the capacitive component of the device and the overlying passivating layer, which charges when not controlled, cause threshold voltage drift under voltage stress. These mobile charges are typically positively charged ions that find their way into the film and substrate as contaminants. Phosphosilicate glass is an effective barrier against positive ion migration, primarily Na+ ions, since it electrostatically binds the positive ions in the phosphosilicon oxygen lattice.

A number of methods are known for depositing phosphosilicate glass. However, each of the known methods have inherent limitations which either limit the nature of the application, or satisfactory control of the resultant composition is difficult or impossible.

One technique for producing a phosphosilicate glass involves passing a P 0 vapor over a previously deposited Si0 layer at relatively high temperatures on the order of 800 C. The P 0 vapor is obtained by the reaction of POCI and 0 This technique is described in IBM TDB vol. 12, No. 12, May 1970, page 2086. While the technique is dependable and controllable, it necessitates exposing the semiconductor substrate to relatively high temperatures. In many instances, as when the layer must be deposited over a metallurgy or Where diffused regions exist in the semiconductor body, exposure to such temperatures is not practical.

Evaporation techniques can be used as an alternate method for supplying P 0 to a heated SiO surface for a reaction which results in phosphosilicate glass. While P 0 can be vaporized at moderate temperatures it is highly deliquesient. Any moisture in the atmosphere is immediately absorbed by the P 0 This presents very serious problems during deposition since any moisture 3,743,587 Patented July 3, 1973 in the chamber is immediately absorbed by the P 0 In order to promote the reaction between the P 0 combined with Water and SiO the wafer must be heated to temperatures on the order of 1200 C. This high temperature could seriously disrupt existing diffused regions, metallurgies, etc. on the wafer. Further, the combination of P 0 and water produces phosphoric acid which is very corrosive.

Another technique for depositing phosphosilicate glass is R.F. sputtering using a target of phosphosilicate glass. However, experimentation has indicated that it is difficult to obtain the requisite P 0 content in the deposited film. The deposited film does not have the same composition as the target. Experimental efforts involving R.F. sputtering of the 5% P 0 SiO target resulted in films with little or no P 0 Apparently this is the result of a high vapor pressure of P 0 at the sputter conditions. The SiO component of the PS6 target finds its way to the substrates, however, the P 0 vaporizes and is apparently lost in the chamber and inert gas stream.

In general, known techniques for depositing phosphosilicate glass are not completely satisfactory for meeting many semiconductor device fabrication applications. The known techniques may require heating the device to high temperatures which may destroy or impair structure on the device, or control of the P 0 content is unsatisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved technique for depositing phosphosilicate glass layers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method of reactively R.F. sputter depositing phosphosilicate glass layers.

Other objects will be apparent from the ensuing description of the invention.

In accordance with the aforementioned objects the present invention is a method of reactively sputtering phosphosilicate glass on a substrate wherein there is provided a sputtering chamber having a fused quartz target disposed on a target electrode and a substrate holder electrode in spaced relation to the target electrode. Substrates to be covered with the phosphosilicate glass film are located on the substrate holder, and an inert gas, for example, argon introduced into the chamber, an RF. potential applied across the target electrode and the substrate holder electrode to establish a glow discharge in the region between the electrodes and vaporized P 0 introduced into the region of the glow discharge. During the resultant process the fused quartz particles bombarded from the target pass through the P 0 vapor and a reaction takes place either in the atmosphere or at the wafer surface or possibly both in which there is formed a phosphosilicate glass film. The P 0 vapor is preferably generated by providing a plurality of tantalum boats filled with P 0 which is heated and vaporized in the boat by the heat generated during the sputtering reaction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the process of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a sputtering apparatus capable of carrying out the process of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the substrate holder electrode illustrating a preferred specific embodiment .of an arrangement of wafers and P 0 containing boats.

3 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The phenomenon of surface inversion in semiconductors is well known. It is basically the formation of a negasubstrate holder 28 and is deposited along with the glass material, typically quartz, from target 26 to form a phosphosilicate glass layer. In operation the temperature of substrate holder electrode 28 is increased by the R.F. power source to a temperature sufiiciently high to vaporize the tively charged layer adjacent to the semrconductor- P205 in boats 50' A power density i the range of t insulat r layer interface- It is caused by migration under 20 watts/ sq. inch has been found to be suflicient to raise electrical stress of positively charged ions in the insulatthe temperature f the substrate h ld l md f o 300 ing layer to Position adjacent the Semiconductor to 450 C. The temperature of the substrate holder 28 face. These positively charged ions, principally sodium 10 can be Controlled by circulating li fluid through ions, attract el t o from the Semiconductor body to conduit 38 as indicated by the arrows. However, if necesthe surface regions. This condition is particularly trouble- Sary or desirable h boats can b h t d e rately by some in N type semiconductors because the materials beothfir Suitable heating means h number of boats 60 come more conductive. In field effect transistors it signifiprovided is determined by the d i cgntent of h P 0 cahiiy eiiects the ihIeShhoid voiiage- The gettering effect in the resultant phosphosilicate glass film, the temperature of phosphosilicate glass has also been recognized as evif the substrate holder 28 d i ti nd the area, dellced y Pat 3,343,049 which Suggests utilizing a of the substrate holder. The pressure of the P 0 in the P l yer in Combination with an z layer to Pmwmt or visible glow discharge region is preferably in the range m im e in of 2X10" to 5 10 torr. Target 26 can be of any suit- AB RH Sputtering apparatus 10 Suitable for use in the 20 able glass combination which combined with P 0 propractice in the method of the invention is depicted in FIG. duces a phosphosilicate glass, preferably target 26 is fused APPaIaiUS 10 has Chamber consisting of a base Plate quartz. The resultant phosphosilicate glass film deposited 12, a cylindrical wall 14 supported on Plate 12 with the on wafer 62 is preferably in the range of 3 to 5% which joint Sealed with a Seal 16, and a Plate 20 resting on is sufiicient to achieve the objectives of most gettering apthe top flange of cylinder wall 14 with the joint sealed phcatiohs with a eco s A target electrode 22 is P- The following examples are made of record to more Ported 01! Plate 20 and insillatfid therefrom with a dieiecclearly illustrate the practice of the method of the inventric member 24. Target 26 is supported on the bottom suri d are not i d d to d l 1i jt same, face of target electrode 22 in opposed relation to substrate holder electrode 28. Target electrode 22 is preferably 30 EXAMPLE I Cooled y Providing a concentrically disposed tube 30 Five sputter deposition runs were made on five separate within the hollow stem portion of electrode 22, and water wafers utilizing a Sputtering apparatus similar to h 1 as an other cooling liquid circulated as indicated by arrows picted in FIG 1. In all f the runs a fu d quartz target 31 and 32. A shi 3 Surrounds the might electrode 22 was utilized which was spaced from the substrate holder and is spaced therefrom to prevent sputtering of the back 35 electrode by 1 inches A single wafer was placed side of electrode. Substrate holder electrode 28 is suptrauy on the Substrate h l i h 4 T boats .fill d i h Ported on legs 36 of dielectric material which engage P 0 resting on the electrode. 500 watts of power'reprebase Plate Cooiihg iuhfi 33 engages the bottom senting a power density of 14 watts per/sq. inch was apof electrode 28 and serve b a a means for Cooling ah plied across the target electrode and the substrate holder electrode and providing electrical contact thereto. Tube 40 electrode A bias voltage of 1 volts was i i d 38 eXtelldS through base Plate 12 through a dielectric between the base plate and the substrate holder electrode P g Ah inlet 42 Provided with a Suitable valve by manipulating the variable inductance. A pressure of 20 means 44 is adapted to introduce gas into the chamber. microns f argon was maintained during the sputtering Outlet 46 Connected to a Vacuum P p 43 is used to operation within the chamber. -In the first run there was exhaust the inside of the chamber. An R.F. power source no p 0 i h T b I h second run P 0 was 50 is arranged to pp y an Potfihiial across base Plate placed in the boats and the distance from the wafer to the 12 and target electrode 22. A variable impedence 52 and b t was i t i d t 4 i h I th 4th d 5:]; runs capacitor 54 are connected in series across the base plate th di t c f o th b t t th f r was decreased t 12 and substrate holder electrode 28 in order 110 place a 3 inches, The results of the fivg runs are depicted in the bias on the electrode 28. The structure of the sputtering 50 following table:

Distance from Pressure Rcacboat to Power Bias (microns tive water, Percent Sat. N charge E (watts) (volt Ar) species inches P10; coulomb cm. (ev.) 500 -100 20 None 0 1.2 10- 3.8X10" 0.93 500 100 20 P105.... 3 5 0. 45x10- 14x10 1.18 500 -100 20 1 205.--- a 5 0.5 10- 1.6X10 1.16 500 -100 20 PzOr---- 4 4 alxioa.1 10 1.05 500 -100 20 39205-- 4 4 a.s 10- .3. 8X10" 1.11

apparatus and the arrangement of the power source is disclosed and claimed in US. Pat. 3,617,459. When the R.F. power source is activated a visible glow discharge is formed between the target holder electrode 22 and substrate holder electrode 28 which has the effect of bombarding particles from the target 26 which are subsequently deposited on elements supported on substrate holder 28.

In the practice of the method of this invention one or more boats 60, preferably made of Ta, are supported on substrate holder 28 as indicated in both FIGS. 1 and 2. Each boat contains a quantity of finely divided P 0 which when heated will vaporize permeate the region of the visible glow discharge between the electrodes. In operation the P 0 introduced into the region of the glow discharges finds its way back to the wafers 62 The mole percent of P 0 in the resultant films on the semiconductor wafers was measured by exposing the film to X-ray radiation from a chromium target X-ray tube and the radiation characteristics of phosphorus detected using a flow proportional counter and a graphite analyzing crystal. The samples were then compared to samples of PSG films and corrected on the basis of thickness. In the above table in column N indicating charges per cm. sq. the variation indicates the effectiveness of the gettering. The values for respective sputter films are proportional to the amount of P 0 in the films. As evidenced in the table, run #1 containing no P 0 has charges numbering twice the magnitude of the films which embody P 0 The term E* in the last column is an indication of activation energy PPorted on Wh ch is the measure of the energy in the electron volts necessary for inducing motion of the sodium ion from one site to another through the film. It comes from the equation:

where Q is equal to the charge in Coulombs Q =charge at K. lc=Boltzmanns constant T=is the absolute temperature The five runs indicate that vaporizing P 0 in a sputtering chamber in the region of the glow discharge adds P 0 to the deposition film. It also clearly indicates the effectiveness of films as getting films when produced by the method of the invention. -It also provides an indication of the etfect produced by positioning the Ta boats at varying distances from the substrates.

EXAMPLE -II Two runs were made with two different targets having diiferent P 0 content. No P 0 vapor source was utilized. In the first run a 2 mole percent P 0 98 mole percent S'iO target having a diameter of 4 inches was supported on the target electrode. The second run utilized a 4 inch target having 8 mole percent P 0 and 92 mole percent SiO The following table depicts the conditions and results of the two runs:

Bias Pres- Mole Sample Power volts sure percent P N E* be made therein Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A method of sputter depositing phosphosilicate glass on a substrate comprising,

providing a sputtering chamber having a glass target disposed on a target electrode,

introducing into the sputtering chamber substrates to be covered with phosphosilicate glass and locating said substrates on a substrate holder electrode spaced from said target electrode,

providing a means to supply vaporized P 0 to the region between said target and said substrate holder electrode,

establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of an inert applying an RF. potential across said target electrode and said substrate holder electrode to establish a glcziw discharge in the region between said electrodes, an

actuating said means to supply vaporized P 0 to establish and maintain a P 0 vapor pressure in at least the immediate region of the glow discharge.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein vaporized P 0 is supplied by at least one boat containing solid P 0 positioned on the substrate holder electrode.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said, at least one, boat is heated by conduction from said substrate holder electrode.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said boat is heated to a temperature in the range of 300 to 450 C.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the vapor pressure of the P 0 in the region between the electrodes is in the range of 2x10 to 5 x 10" torr.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1970 Conant 204-192 6/ 1972 Plumat et al 204-192 

